The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Episodes

Feb. 19, 2019

16: How to Spot a Liar

Let’s face it, we all lie. Many of those lies are innocent white lies with the intent of making the other person look or feel better ( That jacket looks great on you! ) but other lies are much more hurtful and impactful (thin...
Feb. 12, 2019

15: Bully!: Presidential Communications Throughout the Ages

More than ever, being President of the United States means you need to be at the top of your game as a communicator. And no matter what you think about current or past presidents, each one had his own challenges and triumphs ...
Feb. 5, 2019

14: How to Talk About Racism Without Sounding Like a Racist

The subject of race is a hot-button topic, one that many people shy away from for fear of offending someone. But in America today, it’s not going away. Part of being an effective communicator means being able to relate to and...
Jan. 29, 2019

The Covington Chronicles - When an "Ecounter" Goes Viral

When a big story hits the news, we all take notice. Many of us dissect the events strictly from a "just the facts" point of view, but plenty more tune in to watch the twists and turns, and eventually, the reputation fallout. ...
Jan. 22, 2019

12: The Art of Messaging a Divorce: The Jeff Bezos Method

We’re in a whole new age when it comes to making personal announcements. No matter what the announcement is, the bigger the name, the bigger the story. When Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos announced their divorce on January 9, they ...
Jan. 15, 2019

11: How Not to Be a Bridezilla

December is one of the most popular times of the year to get engaged, which means that many brides (and their mothers) are planning weddings! There are so many communication dynamics that go into wedding planning--from announ...
Jan. 8, 2019

10: A Golden Globes Recap: Who was on message and who missed the mark

In this non-traditional Golden Globes recap, I’m looking at how the stars’ publicists did on one of the most important nights in Hollywood. More than 18 million people tuned in to the 2019 Golden Globes on Sunday night and I ...
Jan. 1, 2019

09: How to Write a Hollywood Ending with your Internal Communications

Every business needs a foundation to communicate with its employees, which is why I brought Victoria Dew of Dewpoint Communications to talk about this critical piece of the communication puzzle. Victoria’s unique perspective ...
Dec. 25, 2018

08: Top Communication Fails that Made Headlines in 2018

Communication fails are a starting point in talking about the importance of having a sound communication skill set. And there were a lot of them in 2018. It helps to know what mistakes look like so you can avoid them, and eve...
Dec. 18, 2018

07: Top Communication Wins that Made the Headlines in 2018

With the year coming to an end, this week's episode delves into ten communication wins of the year by the people, politicians, brands, and beer drinkers who made headlines and then made hay from an earlier challenge they face...
Dec. 11, 2018

06: The State Funeral of President George H.W. Bush

As the country mourned the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush, former presidents, congressional leaders and figures from across the political spectrum gathered for his funeral at Washington National Cathedral. Wh...
Dec. 4, 2018

05: Just Listen! The Secret to Getting Through to Just About Anyone

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” - Stephen R. Covey. Are you really listening? One of the most valuable tools for communication is the ability to listen and unde...
Nov. 27, 2018

04: How to Be a Great Conversationalist

With our daily communications frequently moving to the online world, we have forgotten some of the nuances of face to face interaction. Improving our conversation skills, both as a speaker and a listener, allows us to sharpen...
Nov. 19, 2018

03: Interview Secrets from the Other Side of the Desk. Lessons from Harvard Business School H.R.

Interviews don’t have to be stressful. Chances are you’ve been in many job interviews over the course of your career, and maybe even interviewed some candidates for your organization. Ellen Mahoney, chief human resources offi...
Nov. 13, 2018

02: Um...So, Let's Discuss Filler Words

If you want to project confidence and competence, you need to eliminate filler words from your vocabulary. Filler words. They’re a pesky tic that everyone uses. But if overused, filler words can undermine the potential for yo...
Nov. 13, 2018

01: Your Guide to Communication "Tells"

No matter your age or professional level, you need a guide to communication so you can be seen, heard and relevant. Today’s episode gives you the “tells.” Do you know that you can tell how old someone is just by how they comm...